NYS Mold Licensing: Requirements, Costs & How to Get Licensed (2025)

A restoration contractor in Long Island thought he was playing it safe. He’d cleaned up water damage and removed mold for years as a general contractor and assumed that if he didn’t advertise “mold,” he didn’t need a license.

Then a homeowner complaint brought NYSDOL to the site. No mold license.
Result: $10,000 fine, barred from mold work until licensed, and a lawsuit for re-remediation plus damages.

Since New York’s Article 32 took effect (2016), NYSDOL has issued thousands of violations to contractors who ignored licensing. The rules are strict, the penalties are real, and ignorance isn’t a defense.

Whether you’re adding mold services, expanding restoration, or entering the environmental market, this guide covers who needs a license, assessor vs. remediator, training & applications, costs, penalties, renewals, and how to get licensed fast in 2025.

 

 

What Is NYS Mold Licensing?

NYS mold licensing is governed by NYSDOL Article 32. Anyone performing mold assessment or remediation for compensation must hold an active NYSDOL mold license.

NYSDOL Article 32: The Framework

  • Mold Assessors: Inspect, test, and write remediation protocols.
     

  • Mold Remediators: Remove/clean/encapsulate mold per protocol.
     

  • Companies (Contractors): Employ licensed supervisors/workers.
     

Licenses are tiered (worker, supervisor, contractor) with specific training and annual renewal requirements.

Conflict-of-interest rule: The same person/company cannot perform both assessment and remediation on the same project.

Why Licensing Exists

Mold exposure can trigger respiratory and allergic issues. Poor remediation spreads spores, increases contamination, and raises liability. Licensing ensures trained pros use containment, PPE, negative air, HEPA, and compliant methods — and creates accountability.

 

 

Who Needs a Mold License in New York?

If you’re paid to assess, inspect, test, remove, or remediate mold in NY, you need a license.

Covered roles include:

  • Mold inspectors/consultants

  • Mold remediation contractors/techs

  • Restoration companies offering mold services

  • GCs performing any mold work

  • Property management teams handling mold

  • EHS/environmental firms
     

Exemptions (Narrow)

  • Owner performing work on their own residence (not rentals)

  • < 10 sq. ft. contamination cleaned by the owner or their employee (not a contractor)

  • Emergency work by fire/police/EMS
     

Myths to avoid:

  • “It’s a small job.” → If >10 sq. ft. and for compensation, licensing applies.
     

  • “I’m not advertising mold.” → Irrelevant. If you do mold work for pay, you need a license.
     

  • “Customer didn’t ask.” → It’s law, not preference.

 

 

Assessor vs. Remediator: The Line You Can’t Cross

Role

What They Do

What They Don’t Do

Mold Assessor

Inspect, sample, write protocol

Perform remediation

Mold Remediator

Execute protocol: remove, clean, encapsulate

Inspect, sample, or write protocol

Conflict of interest (Article 32):

  • An assessor cannot bid or perform remediation on the same project.

  • A remediator cannot inspect or write the protocol for the same project.

  • Companies offering both must use separate teams on any single job.
     

 

 

Licensing Tiers & Requirements (Remediation Track)

1) Mold Remediation Worker (Individual)

Role: Hands-on removal/cleaning/disposal under a licensed supervisor.
Requirements:

  • 32-hour NYSDOH-accredited training (16 hours hands-on)

  • Pass written exam

  • NYSDOL application $100

  • Annual renewal with 8-hour refresher
     

2) Mold Remediation Supervisor (Individual)

Role: Oversees projects, directs workers, ensures protocol compliance, documentation, QC.
Requirements:

  • 40-hour NYSDOH-accredited training (16 hours hands-on)

  • Pass written exam

  • NYSDOL application $200

  • Annual renewal with 8-hour refresher
     

3) Mold Remediation Contractor (Company)

Role: Business authorization to perform remediation.
Requirements:

  • Employ at least one licensed supervisor

  • General liability insurance ≥ $1M (some projects require $2M)

  • NYSDOL application $500

  • Annual renewal (no training for company license; staff licenses must stay current)
     

Most firms need a company license plus individual worker/supervisor licenses.

 

 

Training & Accreditation (All Licenses)

All training must be NYSDOH-accredited.

Typical hour splits:

  • Remediation Worker: 32 hrs (16 classroom / 16 hands-on)

  • Remediation Supervisor: 40 hrs (24 classroom / 16 hands-on)

  • Assessor Worker: 32 hrs (24 classroom / 8 hands-on)

  • Assessor Supervisor: 40 hrs (32 classroom / 8 hands-on)
     

Curriculum includes: mold biology/health effects, containment/negative air, HEPA, PPE/respiratory protection, decon, waste handling, regulatory compliance; supervisor adds project management, safety, documentation.

Exam: Typically 50 Q (workers) and 75–100 Q (supervisors).
Format: Some providers offer hybrid (online lecture + in-person hands-on). Fully online without hands-on does not meet requirements.

 

 

How to Get Licensed in NY (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Pick Your License(s)

  • Hands-on work → Worker

  • You supervise → Supervisor

  • You’re the business → Contractor (and employ a supervisor)
     

Solo operators typically need Supervisor + Contractor.

Step 2 — Complete NYSDOH-Accredited Training

  • Enroll in 32/40-hour course (verify hands-on + certificate issuance).

  • EEA offers statewide sessions (NYC, LI, Westchester, Albany, Rochester) with classroom, hands-on, exam, and same-day certificates.
     

Step 3 — Submit NYSDOL Application

Include:

  • Training certificate (original/certified copy)

  • ID (DL or passport)

  • Fee ($100 worker / $200 supervisor / $500 contractor)

  • Proof of insurance (contractor only)

  • Mail to NYSDOL Mold Licensing Unit (online apps not currently available)
     

Step 4 — Maintain with Annual Renewal

  • Complete 8-hour refresher (worker/supervisor)

  • Submit renewal ≥ 30 days before expiration

  • If expired > 1 year, you may need to retake initial training

 

 

Costs: Training, Fees & Real-World Budgeting

By License Type

Remediation Worker

  • Training: $800–$1,000

  • NYSDOL fee: $100

  • Total: $900–$1,100
     

Remediation Supervisor

  • Training: $1,000–$1,500

  • NYSDOL fee: $200

  • Total: $1,200–$1,700
     

Remediation Contractor (Company)

  • Staff supervisor required

  • NYSDOL fee: $500

  • Liability insurance: $1,000–$3,000/year

  • Total Year 1: $1,500–$3,500 (then $500 + insurance annually)
     

Hidden/Recurring Costs

  • Time off: 4–5 days for initial 32–40 hrs; 1 day for annual refresher

  • Travel/lodging if training isn’t local

  • Annual refresher ($200–$400) + renewal fees ($100–$500) per license
     

Plan for $300–$700/year per licensed individual.

 

 

Penalties: Working Without a License

NYSDOL enforcement tools include:

  • Civil penalties up to $10,000/violation

  • Stop-work orders

  • Suspension/revocation of other NYSDOL licenses (e.g., asbestos/lead)

  • Potential criminal charges for willful/repeat violations

  • Civil liability for re-remediation/damages

  • Possible insurance denial for unlicensed work
     

Inspections are sparked by complaints, audits, and sweeps. Be prepared to show licenses, training certs, and project documentation.

 

 

Annual Renewal: What to Do & When

30–60 days before expiration:

  • Register for 8-hour NYSDOH-accredited refresher (worker or supervisor)

  • Complete course and obtain refresher certificate
     

≥ 30 days before expiration:

  • Download NYSDOL renewal application

  • Attach refresher certificate

  • Include fee ($100 worker / $200 supervisor / $500 contractor)

  • Contractor: attach proof of insurance

  • Mail to NYSDOL
     

If you lapse, you cannot legally work until reinstated. Expired > 1 year may require full initial course or new application.

 

 

Why Train with EEA (Environmental Education Associates)

  • NYSDOH-accredited courses meeting all NYSDOL requirements

  • Expert instructors with real-world assessment/remediation backgrounds

  • Hands-on labs (PPE, containment, negative air, HEPA)

  • Same-day certificates for faster licensing

  • Frequent schedules statewide, including weekends

  • Annual refreshers to stay compliant without hassle

  • Application support to avoid paperwork errors & delays
     

Get licensed without losing momentum. EEA makes training fast, practical, and compliant so you can start (and keep) working confidently.

 

 

Final Thought

Mold licensing in New York is mandatory for anyone performing mold assessment or remediation for pay. The system is tiered (worker, supervisor, contractor), requires NYSDOH-accredited training with substantial hands-on, and renews annually. Expect $900–$3,500 to get started (depending on license and insurance). Penalties can hit $10,000 per violation — and stop your project cold.

Do it right: train with an accredited provider like EEA, pass your exam, submit a complete NYSDOL application on time, and keep your license current.